Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Health Consequences in Africa

Africa is heterogeneous in latitude, geography, climate, food availability, religious and cultural practices, and skin pigmentation. It is expected, therefore, that prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varies widely, in line with influences on skin exposure to UVB sunshine. Furthermore, low calcium intakes and heavy burden of infectious disease common in many countries may increase vitamin D utilization and turnover. Studies of plasma 25OHD concentration indicate a spectrum from clinical deficiency to values at the high end of the physiological range; however, data are limited. Representative studies of status in different countries, using comparable analytical techniques, and of relationships between vitamin D status and risk of infectious and chronic diseases relevant to the African context are needed. Public health measures to secure vitamin D adequacy cannot encompass the whole continent and need to be developed locally

Cárie dentária em população ribeirinha do Estado de Rondônia, Região Amazônica, Brasil, 2005/2006 Dental caries in a riverine community in Rondônia State, Amazon Region, Brazil, 2005-2006

O objetivo foi analisar experiência de cárie dentária na população ribeirinha residente às margens dos rios Machado e Preto (Rondônia, Brasil), em 2005 e 2006. Foram examinados 469 indivíduos com formulário preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde, sob luz natural e utilização de espátulas de madeira e sonda CPI. Na faixa etária de 4-5 anos de idade, ceod = 4,30 e 19,64% livres de cárie; 6-10 anos, CPOD = 1,04, ceod = 3,52, 17,05% livres de cárie; aos 12 anos, CPOD = 2,65 e 30,76% livres de cárie; aos 18 anos, CPOD = 5,41 e 19,51% livres de cárie; 35-44 anos, CPOD = 17,74 e 2,98% livres de cárie; 65-74 anos, CPOD = 21,56 e 4,34% livres de cárie. Na análise por componentes, constatou-se que o componente cariado tem maior prevalência nas idades de 0-3, 4-5, 6-10, 12 e 18 anos. Em adultos e idosos, o componente que mais contribui é o perdido. Conclui-se que a população apresenta índices de cárie dentária elevados, sendo necessária a atuação em âmbito educativo, preventivo e curativo.<br>This study aimed to analyze dental caries patterns among riverine people from Rondônia State, Brazil (Machado and Preto rivers) in 2005 and 2006. A total of 469 subjects were examined, using the World Health Organization form, under natural light, using a wooden tongue depressor and CPI probe in cases of doubts about the presence of dental caries. The results were: 4-5-year age bracket, dmtf = 4.30 and 19.64% caries-free; 6-10 years, DMTF = 1.04, dmtf = 3.52 and 17.05% caries-free; 12 years, DMTF = 2.65 and 30.76% caries-free; 18 years, DMTF = 5.41 and 19.51% caries-free; 35-44 years, DMTF = 17.74 and 2.98% caries-free; 65-74 years, DMTF = 21.56 and 4.34% caries-free. When each component was analyzed separately in the dmtf and DMTF indices, decay was most prevalent in the 0-3, 4-5, 6-10, 12, and 18-year brackets. However, in young and older adults, the most prevalent component was missing teeth. In conclusion, the study population showed a high dental caries index, thus highlighting the need for educational, preventive, and curative measures

Estudos de consumo alimentar: aspectos metodológicos gerais e o seu emprego na avaliação de crianças e adolescentes Food consumption studies: general methodological aspects and its use in the evaluation of children and adolescents aged

Este artigo discute aspectos metodológicos dos estudos de consumo alimentar em crianças e adolescentes. Para compreender esses aspectos, descreve, em contexto mais amplo, a importância da Epidemiologia Nutricional no estudo descritivo da relação da dieta com o surgimento das enfermidades, bem como origem histórica, importância, vantagens, limitações e usos dos métodos empregados para medir a ingestão alimentar, especialmente em crianças e adolescentes, em estudos epidemiológicos populacionais. Apresenta ainda alguns trabalhos da literatura científica clássica e contemporânea, demonstrando os resultados obtidos e algumas sugestões para aperfeiçoamento desses métodos. Finalmente, evidencia os aspectos mais relevantes que, por consenso de vários pesquisadores, competem como fatores limitantes ou facilitadores no emprego desses métodos, conferindo a esses, maior validade e reprodutibilidade nos estudos de consumo alimentar de crianças e adolescentes.<br>This article discusses methodological aspects of food consumption studies in children and adolescents. To reach the understanding of these methods it provides the value of Nutritional Epidemiology in a general context through a descriptive study of diet relation with the manifestation of disease as well as historical origin, value, advantage, constraints and use of methods employed to measure food intake, especially in children and adolescents in population epidemiological studies. In addition, it presents classic and contemporaneous literature demonstrating results obtained and some suggestions to improve these methods. Finally, it discloses the more relevant aspects that by consensus of many researchers compete with constraining and facilitating factors in their use providing them with more validity and reproducibility concerning studies of food consumption for children and adolescents

Cues, strategies, and outcomes: how migrating vertebrates track environmental change

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